Funnel Cake, Air-Fried: A Tasty, Healthy Twist?

Funnel cakes are a popular treat at fairs and carnivals, but can you make them in an air fryer? The answer is yes! Air fryer funnel cakes are a lighter, healthier alternative to the traditional deep-fried version. They are light, fluffy, and delicious, with a similar texture and flavour to the original but without all the fat and calories. The key difference is that the batter for air-fried funnel cakes needs to be thicker so that it doesn't drip through the holes in the air fryer basket. This means that the swirling shape of traditional funnel cakes can be tricky to achieve, but the taste is just as good!

Air fryer funnel cake recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup milk (any milk works)
• Cooking spray
• Confectioner's sugar, for garnish
• Optional: strawberry sauce, marshmallow fluff, or Nutella

Method:

• Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.
• In a large mixing bowl, beat the egg and sugar until foamy and pale yellow.
• Whisk in the milk and vanilla extract.
• In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
• Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, being careful not to overmix. Mix until there are no lumps or pockets of dry ingredients.
• Add the batter to a piping bag or a plastic bag with the tip cut off.
• Line the basket of your air fryer with a liner or parchment paper.
• Pipe about 12 (1-inch) rounds of batter onto the liner.
• Spray the tops of the batter with cooking spray.
• Heat for 8 minutes at 400°F until golden brown, risen, and crisp.
• Remove the funnel cakes and top with confectioner's sugar.
• Serve with your choice of toppings, such as strawberry sauce, marshmallow fluff, or Nutella.

Tips:

• This recipe works best when piped into bite-sized pieces as they stay crispier. However, you can pipe them into the traditional funnel cake shape if desired.
• Whole milk gives the best ratio of fat and acid for a fluffy interior, but you can substitute 1:1 with other milks, including non-dairy.
• The funnel cake bites can be stored in a sealed container at room temperature for up to three days.
• To reheat, place them back in the air fryer for 1-2 minutes at 400°F.

How to make funnel cake in an air fryer basket

Ingredients

• 1 cup of flour (all-purpose)
• 1 teaspoon of baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon of salt
• 1/2 cup of Greek yogurt (non-fat)
• 1/4 cup of milk (any milk works)
• 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup of powdered sugar for dusting
• Cooking spray

Method

• Prepare your air fryer basket by spraying it well with cooking spray. You can also use a parchment paper liner if you have one available. Set aside.
• In a small mixing bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, milk, egg, and vanilla. Stir to combine fully.
• In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt.
• Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until you have a uniform batter. The batter should be thicker than pancake batter and able to hold its shape. If it is too runny, add more flour, one tablespoon at a time.
• Pour the batter into a piping bag or a plastic sandwich bag with one tip cut off.
• Pipe the batter into 12 funnel cakes. You can create any shape you want, such as swirls or freeform shapes.
• Spray the tops of the funnel cakes well with cooking spray.
• Air fry at 370°F for 8-10 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through.
• Dust with powdered sugar and add any additional toppings of your choice. Enjoy!

Tips:

• If you want to make bite-sized funnel cakes, pipe about 12 (1-inch) rounds of batter onto the liner.
• You can keep the funnel cakes warm in a 200°F oven while you make additional batches.
• For a vegan option, use non-dairy milk and vegan yogurt.

Air fryer funnel cake toppings

Air fryer funnel cakes are a healthier alternative to the traditional fried version of this treat. They are light, airy, and fluffy, with a slight crunch on the outside.

Funnel cakes are usually topped with powdered sugar, but there are many other toppings you can use to elevate your air fryer funnel cakes. Here are some ideas:

Sweet Toppings

• Chocolate drizzle: Go for milk, dark, or white chocolate for a glossy, sweet layer that complements the crispy cake.
• Fruit: Opt for fresh berries like strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries, or make a fruit compote with classic choices like strawberry or blueberry, or more exotic options such as mango or passion fruit.
• Caramel sauce: Drizzle warm, rich, buttery caramel sauce for a luxurious sweetness.
• Nutella and banana: Spread Nutella on your funnel cake and top with banana slices for a twist on the classic chocolate and fruit combination.
• Ice cream: Add a scoop of your favourite ice cream flavour, such as vanilla, chocolate, salted caramel, or mint chip, for a cold and creamy contrast.
• Nuts: Sprinkle on some toasted chopped peanuts, almonds, or pecans for a crunchy, savoury-sweet balance.
• Sprinkles: Add a colourful, whimsical touch with rainbow sprinkles.
• Marshmallow fluff: For a sweet, sticky treat.
• Whipped cream: Light and fluffy, this topping is a classic for a reason.

Savoury Toppings

Funnel cakes don't always have to be sweet. Try these savoury toppings for a unique twist:

• Cheese
• Bacon
• Jalapeños
• Fried chicken

Air fryer funnel cake vs deep-fried funnel cake

Funnel cakes are a popular treat at fairs and carnivals, known for their light, airy, and crispy texture. Traditionally, they are made by pouring batter through a funnel into hot oil, creating a swirling shape. However, with the advent of air fryers, it is now possible to make funnel cakes at home without the mess and grease of deep frying.

Texture and Taste:

Deep-fried funnel cakes are known for their light and airy texture, with a crispy exterior. The air fryer funnel cake has a similar texture, with a slight crunch to the outside. The deep-fried version may have a more delicate and crispy texture due to the hot oil cooking method.

The taste of funnel cakes is generally not very sweet, but they are often covered in powdered sugar or other toppings, making them a delicious treat. Both the air fryer and deep-fried versions can be served with various toppings, such as marshmallow fluff, Nutella, or strawberry sauce, or a shower of confectioners' sugar.

Health Considerations:

One of the main advantages of air fryer funnel cakes is the reduced amount of oil used in the cooking process. Deep frying requires a large amount of oil, resulting in a greasy final product. Air fryer funnel cakes use little to no oil, making them a healthier option with less fat and calories.

Preparation and Cooking:

Preparing funnel cakes in an air fryer requires some modifications to the traditional recipe. The batter for air fryer funnel cakes needs to be thicker than the standard recipe to hold up in the air fryer basket. This thicker batter may result in a slightly different texture compared to deep-fried funnel cakes.

Cooking time may vary between the two methods, with deep frying typically taking only a few minutes to cook the cakes. Air fryer funnel cakes may take longer, depending on the model and settings of the air fryer.

Final Thoughts:

Both air fryer and deep-fried funnel cakes offer a delicious and indulgent treat. If you are looking for a healthier option without compromising on taste, the air fryer funnel cake is a great choice. It delivers a similar texture and taste without the excess oil and calories. However, if you are seeking the classic, delicate texture of traditional funnel cakes, the deep-fried version may be more suitable. Ultimately, both methods can be enjoyable, depending on your preferences and health considerations.

Air fryer funnel cake tips

Preparation

Before you start making your funnel cake batter, it's important to prepare your air fryer tray or basket. If you have an oven-style air fryer, using a parchment paper liner is a convenient option. Otherwise, you can simply spray your tray or basket liberally with cooking spray to prevent sticking. This is a crucial step to ensure you don't end up with a sticky mess.

Batter Consistency

The batter consistency for air fryer funnel cakes should be thicker than traditional funnel cake batter to ensure it holds its shape in the air fryer. If your batter turns out too thin or runny, you can adjust it by adding more flour, a little at a time, until you achieve the desired consistency.

Piping and Shaping

You can pipe the batter onto the air fryer tray or basket using a piping bag or a plastic bag with the tip cut off. If you're having trouble releasing the batter from the bag, try using kitchen shears to cut it as you pipe. You can create various shapes, such as swirls, freeform designs, or even little squares or bites for easier eating.

Cooking

Preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature, typically between 370-400°F (188-204°C). Spread your batter onto the air fryer tray or place the funnel cakes directly onto the parchment paper in the basket. Set the cooking time, which can range from 3-10 minutes, depending on the size and thickness of your funnel cakes. Remember to flip them halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking.

Serving

Funnel cakes are best served warm and freshly made. You can keep them warm in a low oven while you cook additional batches. Dust them with powdered sugar or cinnamon sugar, or get creative with toppings like marshmallow fluff, Nutella, strawberry sauce, whipped cream, or fresh fruit.

Storage

If you have any leftover funnel cakes, you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. To reheat, simply pop them back into the air fryer for 1-2 minutes at 400°F (204°C).

Frequently asked questions